Head Coach Kevin Stefanski (8.7.22)
Opening statement:
“If I am a little late, we are 14-14 over in Finland – USA Football versus Great Britain (in the Gold Medal Match of the 2022 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Women’s World Championship). Going to be a big half for (Chief of Staff/assistant wide receivers Coach) Callie’s (Brownson) crew. We are definitely pulling for her, but in the meantime, we have some work to do.”
On the situation with RB Kareem Hunt:
“I think you know me well enough that I am not going to get into anything that has to do with our players, conversations that I have with our players and those type of things.”
On if Hunt will continue to sit out team periods of practice:
“Again, I am not really going to comment on it past that.”
On how difficult it is when he ‘may not be getting the full buy-in’ from one of the players:
“I am not going to go that far. I will just tell you, we have some work to do, and that is what we will focus on.”
On if how much of a distraction the situation with Hunt is in terms of the work the team wants to accomplish in practice:
“We are working. No distraction.”
On the Browns’ depth at RB:
“Excited about that room. Like you mentioned, a ton of talent. We have veterans. We have young guys. I think (run game coordinator/running backs coach) Stump (Mitchell) does a great job with that crew, as you know. They are working really hard, and they are going to continue to do that.”
On if the situation with Hunt creates an opportunity for younger Browns RBs:
“Again, I am not going to [comment on it]. You are the wordsmith. I will let you figure that one out, but I think we are just focusing on this practice.”
On if the Browns ultimately view RB Jerome Ford as a third-down RB:
“That is a good question. I think all of our guys have to earn a role and have to carve it out. I would tell you with young players, when it comes to third down, you have to be ready to protect and not just the physical aspect of protecting but knowing what to do, who to block and all of those type of things. I have been around some young running backs who have been able to do that, and we will see if Jerome has that capability and if he earns that role, but it is difficult for young players to do that.”
On Ford’s skillset in the passing game and if it needs refinement:
“All of them need refinement, but yeah, he has some legit skills catching the ball. He has done a nice job in all of these drills, moving him outside and running routes, and he has done a nice job.”
On how much he would like a ‘normal training camp’:
“This is normal. This is normal guys. This is NFL football. As far as I know.”
On it not feeling like a ‘normal’ training camp due to the situations involving QB Deshaun Watson and Hunt:
“I would tell you, respectfully, we really do focus on what we can control. I understand that there are things that happen that certainly get attention, and that is OK. This is a great game. I know our fans love this game and follow every step along the way. For us, we really are focused on trying to get better. We are not where we need to be, and we have a lot of work to do. That is what we are focusing on.”
On if the Browns will allow a player to only participate in select portions of practice and not team periods when they are healthy enough to practice in full:
“No. I understand what you are asking, but if our players are healthy, they practice.”
On what recourse the Browns will take with Hunt, including if a fine may be imposed:
“I won’t get into that.”
On if Hunt will practice today:
“I think we will have to wait and see.”
On if CB Greedy Williams is dealing with an injury, given Williams has not participated in some team drills:
“He is doing fine. Being careful with him. I would not call him injured. He is getting plenty of reps.”
On if Williams’ reps are related to the shoulder injury from 2021:
“No. He is fine.”
On QB Josh Rosen sharing that he has been through a lot during his young career:
“We have talked about it. Josh and I, we have a talk. I am in that (QB) room every day with him. Yeah, he has seen a lot. He is a young player. He has been through a lot in his young career. He has been in different systems and all of those type of things. He has certainly learned a lot. I think those are some painful lessons to learn, but it is really what you do with those lessons learned. He has done a nice job.”
On benefits from Rosen’s time with Buccaneers QB Tom Brady, former Falcons and Colts QB Matt Ryan and other veteran NFL QBs:
“I think that is invaluable. (QB) Jacoby (Brissett) can talk about playing with Tom Brady and with (former Chargers and Colts QB) Philip Rivers. For Josh and some of the experiences that he has had, I think that is really invaluable.”
On the ability to WR Jakeem Grant Sr. on offense, in addition to Grant’s ability in the return game:
“I think it remains to be seen. Like we were talking about earlier about the third-down running back, roles have to be earned, and guys carve out their own roles. We will see what Jakeem is capable of in a role like that. That is our job as coaches to see what is available to us and utilize them to the best of their abilities. He has played offense. He is not just a returner. He has played and done some different things both outside and inside so definitely has a role to play, if that is what he earns.”
On if the Browns consulted with pass game coordinator/wide receivers coach Chad O’Shea about Grant prior to the signing:
“We did. Oh, sure. Chad had him down there in Miami. Really with Jakeem – you guys I guess are just getting to know him – just having been around him the last couple of months, just a really good person. Practice hard. A great teammate. Works really hard. In the meeting room, takes great notes. Is an explosive player. I think the players get a kick out of him on these practice fields when he has the ball in his hands because his feet do move at a different speed than the rest of us.”
On Grant’ ability to avoid larger hits to protect his body with his size and if that gives the Browns more confidence to use Grant on offense, as well as special teams:
“We will see. I can’t speak to exactly how we will use him. To your point, he is shorter, but he is thick; he is strong. There is some power in there, as well.”
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